Burbank Employment Lawyer

Burbank Employment Attorney

Why Choose MM Law

If you experience discrimination, wage theft, or other unlawful practices at work, you need an attorney who will represent you with integrity and respect. Finding the right lawyer can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Our clients have learned to rely on our legal services because they know they can trust MM Law to fight for a positive outcome for their cases.

We never compromise on our values, and we treat each of our clients with empathy and compassion. Throughout the claim process, you will be kept up to date on the status of your claim and settlement. We understand that there are many attorneys out there to choose from.

We feel confident that you will appreciate what sets apart Maralle Messrelian, our founding attorney, and the rest of our team once you meet with us. We gladly offer a free consultation to anyone who believes they have grounds for seeking compensation from their employer.

Common Types of Employment Law Violations

California is an amazing place to work for many people, but hostile and toxic work environments can happen anywhere. Discrimination, wage violations, sexual harassment, and other unlawful acts can require workers to hire an employment lawyer. With legal representation, you can be compensated for having to deal with these and other forms of employment law violations.

• Wrongful termination. You cannot be fired for your pregnancy status, age, or gender. There are many protected characteristics that cannot be used as grounds for termination. If you believe you were let go for any reason other than work-related performance, you can hire an employment lawyer to review your case to see what type of legal action is warranted.
• Disability accommodation. Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations for your disability. These include easily accessible parking spots, ramps for entering and exiting the building, and access to special devices you may need to complete work-related tasks.
• Sexual harassment. Employees and contracted workers have the right to work free from sexual harassment. Even when the harassment isn’t directed toward you, those acts of misconduct can make for a toxic work environment. Inappropriate physical contact and unwelcome sexual advances are never acceptable in California’s workplaces.
• Hostile work environment. When workers or managers engage in offensive acts or use suggestive language that makes you uncomfortable, that can create a hostile work environment. Anything visible to all employees (such as posters) should never be offensive or lewd. A hostile work environment can create great stress for workers who deal with uncomfortable situations and overt harassment daily.
• Whistleblowing. Whistleblowers enjoy strong protections in California. If you report unlawful acts or misconduct, your employer or anyone at work cannot retaliate against you. If they do, you can hire an employment lawyer to hold them accountable.

California’s employment laws are written to protect workers from a wide range of inappropriate behaviors. Protecting your rights often requires hiring an experienced employment law attorney who understands the state’s employment laws.

How an Attorney Can Help

Each employment law case we handle is unique and requires a tailored approach by our founding attorney. If you are the victim of workplace discrimination or harassment, state law prevents you from directly suing your employer. Instead, you are generally required to file a complaint with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) in many cases.

Your employment law attorney can handle the administrative complaint process by reviewing your case and drafting and filing the paperwork needed to start the complaint process. Having legal representation may motivate your employer to settle the matter rather than go through the complaint process. If your employer offers a favorable settlement, the matter will be considered settled, and your complaint with the DFEH will be closed.

The complaint process through the state can take several months to complete, but the process can result in a settlement paid by your employer. If the administrative complaint process does not fully resolve the matter, you may still have the option of hiring a civil court litigator to hand the matter through the courts.

If you have a wage and hour dispute, our Burbank employment attorneys can help calculate the unpaid wages you are entitled to and initiate settlement negotiations to recover those funds. The compensation you may be eligible for will vary depending on the specifics of your case and could include back pay or reinstatement.

You might be entitled to compensation for lost benefits, future earnings, and emotional distress. Our experienced attorneys will work with you to assess the full value of your case, and we will guide you through the process so you are informed about every step along the way.

Having legal representation sends a clear message to your employer that you take your rights seriously. Sometimes, one phone call from our attorney is enough to make an employer rethink violating your rights.

Common Forms of Compensation

In California, an employment lawyer can find various forms of compensation for you, depending on the nature of the case and the laws that may have been violated. The top priority of your employment lawyer will be to hold the at-fault party accountable for their misconduct so you are fully compensated for your losses.

Someone who was wrongfully terminated could be paid the wages they lost due to their termination. If reinstatement is not feasible — some workers prefer not to return to a hostile work environment — front pay for future lost earnings could be included in a settlement.

Employees may also be eligible for compensation for lost benefits, such as health insurance or retirement contributions. Workers can be compensated for emotional distress damages in cases involving severe workplace harassment or discrimination. Punitive damages may also be awarded in cases where an employer or colleague engaged in particularly egregious behavior.

FAQs

Q: How Do I Get Free Advice from California Labor Law?

A: California’s courts offer online resources that may be able to answer some of your basic questions about workplace violations. While the advice can help with general questions, specifics about your individual case should be handled by a local employment law attorney who can review the facts of your case before recommending the right course of action.

Q: Can I Sue My Employer in California?

A: California law requires workers to pursue an administrative action before taking legal action in court in most cases. If you have questions about your legal options, you can consult with an employment law attorney who can review your case.

Direct legal action may be possible in certain situations. Fortunately, California has strong workplace protections that provide legal grounds for seeking compensation for workplace harassment and other unlawful workplace acts.

Q: What Are the Legal Rights of Employees in California?

A: Employees in California enjoy many legal rights. Wage and hour rights are considered some of the more fundamental rights that an employer has in our state. The right to overtime and minimum wage are two key protections afforded California workers. Other legal rights include the right to work in a workplace that is free from harassment and discriminatory acts.

Q: How Do I Know When to Accept My Employment Law Settlement?

A: Knowing when to accept a settlement can be a difficult decision. Your attorney can be a trusted source for advice when making this important decision. Fair compensation would fully pay you for your financial losses. Knowing the full extent of what you are owed is one important factor to consider. Compensation can include payments for lost wages, future lost wages, and lost benefits, among other forms of compensation.

Q: What Is Unfair Termination of Employment in California?

A: California is an at-will state when it comes to employment, meaning that employers can terminate an employee at any time, with or without cause, and without prior notice. However, there are exceptions to this rule. An employer cannot fire someone due to their protected characteristics. And workers enjoy protections from terminations that violate existing contractual agreements.

Schedule Your Workplace Discrimination Consultation Today

Our team at MM Law has many years of experience helping clients understand their legal options following a workplace dispute. We always place the interests of our clients first and work to maximize the compensation that they are owed.

The process of filing an administrative complaint can be complex, and any mistakes you make could delay your claim considerably. Let our legal team handle the paperwork for you. If you are ready to claim the compensation that you are owed, contact our team at MM Law to schedule a free initial consultation.